Hyundai is being called out on their EPA mileage claims. Angry Elantra owners have reported much worse actual mileage than what Hyundai advertises. Some journalists also did a back to back comparison of a non-SFE Focus and the so called 40mpg Elantra, and the Focus blew the Hyundai away in highway mileage.

Hmm...must be all that "style" holding it back, what with more curves than a roadkill rattler...the air has to chage direction 20 times just to get to the back of the car...

The Hyundai rep actually pointed the finger at the consumer here?? "The numbers are the numbers, and the tests are the tests....you can reach the MPG numbers unless you 'drive it like a maniac'" who hired this guy for PR??

We reached out to Hyundai spokesman Jim Trainor for comment, and he backed Elantra's rating. "The numbers are the numbers and the tests are the tests," he said. He says the mileage ratings are achievable unless "you drive like a maniac."**

**drive like a maniac = accelerate to 60 in less than 20 seconds, regularly drive in temps below 70 degrees, and venture off of the free-flowing freeways and highways for more than 5% of your driving. [just kidding]

But it's good to see that people are at least attempting to hold car mfgrs accountable for their claims. I've seen enough complaints on this forum for the new Focus, too. Maybe car makers will have to include an asterik that leads to an explanation about "under perfect conditions and with good, steady regular tailwinds" or something...

Isn't this EPA testing related? (I'm not sure how all that jazz works...)

Edit: I don't think the manufacturers really know the EPA tests in detail, but perhaps the Elantra was (by chance) tuned best for the EPA test and not the real world?

The actual testing is done by the manufacturers based on an EPA protocol. I believe the EPA may re-test an occasional model from a manufacturer but certainly not all. There are pretty significant penalties for fudging on these tests.

To your other point, the manufacturers know the test very well and of course tune their cars to get the best results. One doesn't have to be too cynical to suspect they do this even if it compromises drivability or real-world economy.

I know there is a lot of Elantra hate on the forums. But honestly, I really enjoyed the one I had prior to my focus. Handling was decent (I had a sportier GT model), tons of nice amenities (leather seats, automatic lights, sunroof). It was a pretty good car, and I'd recommend it to anyone up until the 100k mile mark. After that not so sure. I would have thought about getting the Elantra Grand Touring if it wasn't so "backward" compared to the sedan.

I am definitely skeptical of the MPG estimates though. I'll believe it when I see it, but I am happy to see here that many people are exceeding their focus' rating. I hope I can do the same!

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